adj
hoarse
haws
Hoarse (adj) means having a rough, strained voice, often from shouting, a sore throat, or overuse. Example: “After the concert, her voice was hoarse from singing all night.”
adj
1
Having a rough, strained voice, often from shouting, a sore throat, or overuse.
"After the concert, her voice was hoarse from singing all night."
"He spoke in a hoarse whisper after the long cold."
How to use hoarse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a rough, raspy voice, usually caused by strain or illness.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "horse" — they sound exactly alike but are unrelated in meaning.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like hoarse.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- hoarses
- Past tense
- hoarsed
- Comparative
- hoarser
- Superlative
- hoarsest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After the concert, her voice was _____ from singing all night.
Etymology
From Old English hās, related to Old Norse forms with the same meaning.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hoarse
See all rhymes for hoarse →Frequently asked questions
What does “hoarse” mean?
The word “hoarse” means having a rough, strained voice, often from shouting, a sore throat, or overuse. In plain terms, describes a rough, raspy voice, usually caused by strain or illness.
How do you pronounce “hoarse”?
“Hoarse” is pronounced haws (/hɔːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “hoarse” in a sentence?
Here is “hoarse” used in a sentence: “After the concert, her voice was hoarse from singing all night.”
What part of speech is “hoarse”?
“Hoarse” is an adjective.
Where does the word “hoarse” come from?
The word “hoarse” comes from Old English. From Old English hās, related to Old Norse forms with the same meaning.
